Financial Stability
Leaving an unsafe relationship can affect every part of your finances. You may be dealing with limited access to money, debt you didn’t create, a sudden drop in income, or the cost of starting again from scratch. This page is here to help you understand what support exists, what to focus on first and how to start rebuilding over time.
A few important things to know:
Financial abuse can affect women from all walks of life
Leaving often creates immediate cash flow problems, even when it is the right decision
You may have rights and protections you do not know about yet
Emergency support exists for essentials like food, bills and housing costs
Rebuilding financial stability usually happens in small steps over time
If you need immediate help, call DVConnect on 1800 811 811 or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732. You can also use The Handy Guide service directory to find Queensland-based housing, domestic violence and financial support services.
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Immediate money and essentials
For many women, the first financial challenge after leaving is getting through the next few days or weeks. That might mean paying for food, transport, medication, phone credit, school costs, rent or emergency accommodation. If you’re in this stage, the priority is covering these essentials and reducing immediate pressure.
Some of the supports that may help include:
Crisis payments or emergency payments – If you’ve had to change your living arrangements because of domestic and family violence, you may be able to access a one-off Crisis Payment. You usually need to contact Services Australia within 7 days of the change in your living arrangements, and a social worker will assess your claim. The payment is equal to one week of your maximum basic income support payment.
Emergency relief, food banks and vouchers – Queensland’s Emergency Relief Program can provide support such as food vouchers, food parcels, transport assistance and contributions towards third-party accounts like utility bills. It is designed for people experiencing immediate financial hardship and can also connect you with longer-term financial and social support.
Bond loans or rental grants – If you’ve found a rental property but can’t afford the upfront costs, the Queensland Government offers interest-free Bond Loans and one-off Rental Grants. Bond Loans can cover up to 4 weeks’ rent, while Rental Grants can cover 2 weeks’ rent for people in housing crisis. If you are experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, your Bond Loan application will be automatically approved, provided you give information about your circumstances.
No Interest Loans (NILS) for essential items – NILS can help with essentials like fridges, washing machines, furniture, car repairs, medical or dental costs, and in some cases bond for a new rental. These loans are interest-free and fee-free, but they cannot be used for cash, rent, bills or debt repayments.
Domestic and family violence brokerage or practical support – Queensland also has brokerage and emergency crisis payment arrangements for people impacted by domestic and family violence. These are often accessed through specialist DFV services rather than applied for directly, which is why contacting a support service early can make a big difference.
If you’re not sure where to start, a good first step is to contact a domestic violence service, financial counsellor or housing support service and explain what you need help covering right now. They can help you work out which support fits your situation and what to apply for first.
Read more: Left with nothing: How women rebuild financial stability after abusive relationships
Jackie Smith from Brisbane Domestic Violence Service shares her expertise on overcoming financial abuse and managing debt after leaving an abusive relationship. Learn how women can regain control of their financial independence and break free from economic abuse.
Understanding financial abuse
Financial abuse is a common part of domestic and family violence. It can leave you without access to money, in debt, or unsure what you’re actually responsible for. While it’s not always obvious at the time, financial abuse often involves patterns of control around money, work and decision-making. This might include:
Restricting access to bank accounts or income
Pressuring or forcing you into loans, debts or financial commitments
Putting bills, accounts or credit in your name without your full understanding
Monitoring or controlling how you spend money
Preventing you from working, studying or building your own income
Keeping financial information hidden or making all financial decisions
Many women leave with little to no assets, no financial buffer and debts they didn’t fully choose or benefit from. What’s important to know is that you may have more rights than you think.
If financial abuse or coercion was involved, some debts may be disputed, reduced or waived. Certain income, like Centrelink payments, may also be protected in ways that affect how debt is managed. But these protections aren’t always obvious, and many women aren’t told about them.
A financial counsellor or specialist DFV financial advocate can help you understand what debt is actually yours, explain your legal and financial rights, speak to creditors on your behalf, and work out what to prioritise based on your situation.
Read more: How to spot the red flags of financial abuse
Financial abuse is a subtle, yet insidious, form of domestic violence. Learn about the tactics used to control a victim's finances and the importance of financial literacy in breaking free.
Clearing debt and cash flow
Once immediate safety is in place, the next step is understanding your financial position as it stands today. And you don’t need a perfect budget in place to do this.
If your income is lower than your essential expenses, or if debt is piling up, you need to understand:
What money is coming in
What essential expenses need to be paid
What debts exist and who they are with
Whether any accounts, subscriptions or repayments can be paused or changed
What support you may be eligible for
A financial counsellor can help you prioritise what matters most, talk to creditors and take some of the pressure off.
Small steps that can help you regain control over time include:
Opening a bank account in your own name.
Checking your credit file.
Writing down all regular bills and repayments.
Using a debit card rather than credit.
Setting up a very small savings transfer if possible.
Remember, your goal is to stabilise your situation and create a clearer path forward.
Where to get help
A good place to start is a specialist service that understands both domestic and family violence and financial hardship, such as Women’s Legal Service Queensland. They offer free legal advice and support for women, including help with domestic and family violence matters, financial separation, debt issues and your legal rights after leaving.
You can also get support, advice or practical tools from:
Financial Independence Hub – A program designed to support women impacted by financial abuse or hardship. It can help you set up accounts, build savings, access financial education and work towards longer-term financial independence.
National Debt Helpline – A free, confidential service that connects you with professional financial counsellors. They can help you understand your debts, talk to creditors, fix your credit file and explore your options without judgement.
Centrelink (Services Australia) – Information on payments, crisis support and financial assistance. You can also speak to a social worker.
MoneySmart – An Australian Government-backed resource with practical tools and advice on budgeting, debt, saving and financial decision-making. It’s a good place to start if you want clear, independent guidance without pressure.
Read more: How Women’s Legal Service Queensland guides women to safety
Nadia Bromley, CEO of Women’s Legal Service Queensland (WLSQ), shares insights on the organisation’s mission, the challenges they face, and their impactful work in providing essential legal and social support.
Rebuilding independence over time
Financial recovery often takes longer than people expect, because you’re rebuilding after things have been disrupted or taken out of your control. For many women, this stage is about putting small routines in place that help things feel more stable again.
A simple, realistic routine might include:
Checking your bank balance regularly so nothing feels unknown
Keeping track of essential expenses like rent, food and transport
Applying for jobs, increasing work hours or building skills over time
Staying on top of debts, even if progress is slow
Opening and reviewing bills or letters as they come in
Setting up a small automatic transfer, even if it’s a small amount
Using trusted support services when you need help or feel stuck
Over time, these steps can help you feel more in control, reduce some of the pressure and give you more options. Support from financial counsellors, support workers or employment services can make this easier to manage when things feel uncertain.
Rebuilding takes time, but it does happen!
Read more: RizeUp: The power of collective support
Discover the inspiring journey of RizeUp, a charitable organisation that harnesses the power of collective support and community solidarity to help survivors of domestic violence.
